An investigation committee to ensure justice in the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) killings will be formed within the next five working days, said Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Tuesday.  This committee will include retired judges, civil service, armed forces, and police personnel, he said. He made the announcement at a special press briefing held at the home ministry's conference room, emphasizing the interim government’s commitment to justice and good governance.  Retired army officers demand exemplary punishment for perpetrators of BDR massacre “The government is determined to re-investigate and ensure justice in the BDR killings. Since its formation, the interim government has been working toward this goal,” said the adviser.  He reiterated his consistent stance on the matter, saying, “I have been vocal about re-investigating the BDR killings from the very beginning, both as a former army member and as a concerned citizen.”  BDR families demand renaming of BGB, justice for mutiny victims Addressing the timeline for submitting the investigation report, he said, “We will first collect names for the committee. This process may take some time, as not everyone is willing to join such committees. After finalizing the members, we will consult with them to determine the scope and timeline for the report.”  However, the exact number of members is yet to be finalized, though it is likely to be five, seven or nine, with more representation from the armed forces, he added.  On whether the committee would be headed by a judge or another official, the adviser said that the committee will be led by the most senior member. BDR carnage to be reinvestigated: Home Adviser He added that the format—whether it will be a committee or a commission—would be decided based on discussions after its formation.  When asked whether there is any confusion with the law ministry, the Home Affairs Adviser said, "No, there is no confusion with the law ministry. However, we will sit with the law adviser and take their opinions."  

An accused in the BDR mutiny case died at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital on Tuesday, police said. The deceased was identified as Md. Abed Ali, 57, son of late Masir Uddin. He was an accused in a case over 2009 BDR mutiny and an inmate of Dhaka Central Jail. Read: BDR mutiny accused who was in Dhaka Central Jail dies He was taken to DMCH on June 7 from jail after he fell sick and died in the medicine ward of the hospital at around 10:08am on Tuesday. DMCH police outpost In-Charge Inspector Md Bacchu Miah said the body was kept at the hospital morgue for autopsy. Also Read: Convict in BDR mutiny case dies at Kashimpur Jail Seventy-four people, including 57 army officials, were killed in the mutiny in the capital's Pilkhana headquarters of the erstwhile Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) on February 25 and 26 in 2009. A total of 58 cases, including one for murder and looting and the rest for mutiny, were filed in connection with the incident. Also Read: Death row convict in BDR mutiny case dies at DMCH Some 152 people were sentenced to death and 423 others to different jail terms in the case. Besides, 277 accused were acquitted.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday alleged that there was no proper investigation into the killings of 57 army officers in the BDR mutiny in 2009. "We think the way this incident should have been investigated and the way the investigation process should have been conducted to bring out the real offenders and the masterminds through a fair investigation, that didn’t happen unfortunately,” he said. Fakhrul came up with the remarks while talking to reporters after placing wreaths at a monument set up at Banani Army Graveyard in memory of the army officials killed in the Pilkhana carnage, marking the 14th anniversary of the incident. He said the Army had conducted an investigation into the BDR mutiny incident, but the nation has not yet got the full report of that probe. The BNP leader said some people were awarded death sentences and life imprisonment in a case filed in connection with the mutiny and subsequent killings. But he lamented that the trial of another case filed under the Explosive Substances Act in connection with the same incident has not yet been completed, forcing many soldiers of the erstwhile Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) who claim themselves innocent still stay in jail. "I was in prison a few days ago. I saw there that many ex-BDR members who were made accused in this case have been living inhumanly for 13/14 years. Their families and future are ruined,” Fakhrul said. He demanded the government take steps to complete the trial in the explosive case so that those who are innocent can return to normal life with their families. On 25-26 February 2009, a mutiny in the then Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) left 74 people, including 57 army officers, murdered at the Pilkhana Headquarters.

The 13th anniversary of the brutal carnage at the Pilkhana BDR (now BGB) headquarters in the capital is being observed on Friday. A total of 74 people, including 57 Army officers, were killed in the massacre beginning on this day in 2009. Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) has organised Quran Khawani, doa, and milad mahfil, marking the day. Major General S M Salahuddin Islam, Military Secretary to the President, and Major General Nakib Ahmed, Military Secretary to the Prime Minister, placed floral wreaths at the graves of the slain Army officers at the Military Graveyard in the capital's Banani area on behalf of the President and the PM, respectively, the government said in a release. Also read: Pilkhana BDR Mutiny: HC releases full text of verdict Besides, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, chiefs of the three services -- Chief of Army Staff General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Shaheen Iqbal and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan, -- and Director General of BGB Major General Md Shafeenul Islam also paid their tributes to the slain Army officers. They also stood in solemn silence for a while. During the day, family members and relatives of the slain officers also paid their tributes to the slain Army officers. BGB flags are being flown at half-mast at all Border Guards Bangladesh installations and all BGB members are wearing black badges to mark the day. A special prayer and milad mahfil will be held on Friday after Juma prayers at BGB Central Mosque, Dhaka Sector Mosque and Border Guard Hospital Mosque at Pilkhana to seek salvation of the departed souls. Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan will be present as the chief guest at the BGB Central Mosque. Also read: Nation paying tribute to Pilkhana martyrs On February 25, 2009, several hundred Bangladesh Rifles (now BGB) men staged an armed revolt at the Darbar Hall of the force's Pilkhana headquarters during the three-day "BDR Week". They killed 74 people, including 57 Army officers. The mutiny finally ended the following day (Feb 26) with the surrender of firearms, ammunition and grenades through a negotiation between the then government and the BDR rebels. A total of 58 cases, including one for murder and looting, and the remaining for mutiny were filed in connection with the mutiny. Some 152 people were sentenced to death and 423 others to different jail terms in the killing case. Besides, 277 were acquitted in the country’s largest-ever killing case. Among the convicts, 262 mutineers were sentenced to different jail terms ranging from three months to 19 years, and 161 people, including late BNP leader Nasiruddin Ahmed Pintu and local Awami League leader Torab Ali, were jailed for life. On the other hand, 5,926 BDR personnel were sentenced to different jail terms ranging from four months to seven years in the 57 mutiny cases.

The 12th anniversary of the atrocious carnage at the  Pilkhana BDR (now BGB) headquarters in the capital will be observed  on Thursday.